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Spring Show Opening - May 3rd, 2025

At our 2025 spring show opening, "The Natural World," we are excited to share new works by the following artists with you.

Moni Hill - Originally from Germany, Moni grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio. She currently lives with her family in Asheville, North Carolina. She is a painter known for her landscapes layered with acrylic paint. Interestingly, as she paints her landscapes, she uses a power sander to remove part of the paint. Because of this sanding technique, she paints on wood, which is strong enough to withstand this treatment. You'll find her paintings to be vibrant and focus on the natural elements that surround her home.

Hokanson Dix Glass - The two founders of this glass studio, Bengt and Trefny, work each day from East Hampton on Long Island. Their glass-blowing techniques are based on Italian and Swedish methods and they have also developed their own techniques over time. Much of their inspiration comes from seascapes and aquatic life forms, which you can see in the work.

Jennifer McBrienÌý- Hailing from Baltimore, Maryland, Jennifer is well known for her fiber art. She hand-makes purses, messenger bags, and pillows. The aspect of her work that intrigues many is that she uses her sewing machine to "draw." She does not use a programmable device but manipulates the fabric manually to create a drawing from the thread. Seeing the pieces up close in person really shows off the artistry.

Erin Pietsch - Erin draws inspiration from the natural beauty that surrounds her home in the Pacific Northwest. Her work is crafted from porcelain and she focuses her efforts on cohesively bringing together the work's aesthetic qualities and its intended function. In her own words, she "finds constant inspiration in the natural world - whether it is a quiet walk along a riverbank, or a trail through the woods." From this, she "listens to the form, and lets the materials guide her, allowing each piece to evolve into something new and unexpected."

Justin RothshankÌý- This potter finds his home in Goshen, Indiana. The effects one can see on his pottery are due to multiple firings - often a piece is fired 4-5 times to get the layered, collage look he is aiming for. The hand-made pots he creates are intended to be used every day. He and his wife view art in the sense that "it enables self-understanding, provides a window into other cultures, and gives context to history and education."

Laura ZindelÌý- The pottery that Laura and her team hand-crafts in Vermont is produced from local clay. Her process begins by drawing with a graphite pencil an image that reflects her love and interest in all things floral and fauna. This drawing is then used as the basis for the design of her pieces. We were drawn to the pieces that are showcased in "The Natural World" due to the richness of the colors found in her work.

Joelle Diane ZellmanÌý- A printer from Akron, Ohio who is the owner and artist of Monochrome Canvas. Growing up in Akron, she studied at Miller South and Firestone High School. You'll find that Joelle's work looks to uncover the natural beauty of the world. She also encourages creativity in others and develops artistic connections through collaborations.Ìý

When you come by the gallery to check out our spring show, please feel free to look at the work that those taking the floral/foliage arrangement class will create. It is always fun to get a glimpse of what others are working on and perhaps take a few ideas home with you!

During our show openings, there will be complimentary light refreshments and punch available for all who visit. We look forward to sharing the work of these incredible artists with you and hope to see you at the opening.

Just in Time for Spring - A new Perspective to Creating Arrangements with Nature's Beauty!

This hour-long class combines elements of the Japanese art of Ikebana along with the "thriller - filler - spiller" approach to arrangements. The goal of this class is to provide you with a fresh eye that leads you to develop your own stunning work.

What's included? A Leandra Drumm vase, fresh cut florals and foliage to choose from, a delicious drink, along with the time to relax and craft a beautiful arrangement.

Dr. Patty Tresey, (of Â黨ÊÓƵ and Gallery's famed gardening duo of Brian and Patty) will be leading this class on Saturday, May 3, 2025. Patty has her Bachelor of Science in Horticulture from Ohio State University and is also a graduate of Hixson's School of Floral Design. Each class will be limited to 8 participants to ensure attendees can receive adequate time and attention from the instructor. The cost of the class is $72.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP

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Thank You for All Your Good Cheer for Don's 90th Birthday

Between the well wishes, cards, letters, and happy faces - we want to share a heartfelt thank you for making Don's 90th birthday so special. Don's spirits were uplifted to see so many of you personally visiting with Don on his birthday and sharing with him your stories and memories from the last half-century. Pictured above with Don is a multi-generational family photo with great-grandchildren, grandchildren, and two of his daughters. Later that day, Don and Lisa read the letters and cards together at home. It meant a great deal to Lisa to see this outpouring of love.

Don't forget, each day since Don's birthday, you can find on our social media photos of Don's outdoor sculptures around Akron, Ohio. These posts will run through April 26th, which is International Sculpture Day. If you have time, it's always fun to take a walk and look at some outdoor art!